Water sanitization system

ABSTRACT

A non-chemical sanitation system for a body of water comprises a floating base, an internal hydro-electric power generator, and one or more sanitizing mechanisms electrically powered by the hydro-electric power generator, where the hydro-electric power generator derives its energy from water pressure produced by a pool pump. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ionizers. In some embodiments, the system is connected to a filter pipe and filter of a pool and the hydro-electric power generator is placed within the path of water flowing to the pool filter in order to generate power and power the one or more sanitizing mechanisms.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to systems and methods for disinfectingand sanitizing a body of water. More particularly, this inventionrelates to non-chemical water sanitation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keeping swimming pools and spas clean and free of other germs andbacteria has historically meant adding harsh chemicals such as chlorineand bromine to the water. Using and storing such chemicals can behazardous to humans and the environment. Consequently, there has been apush to find non-chemical alternatives.

In recent years, new technology has been introduced that attempts toeliminate the harmful chemicals. This technology consists of immersingultraviolet radiating lamps and ionizers into the water stream of thepools and spas. The ultraviolet light and the ionizers kill germs andbacteria within the water of the pools and spas.

However, because these systems are often retrofitted into existingswimming pools and spas the cost of implementation is often high andthus is discouraging over other lower cost methods. The high cost ofimplementation is often associated with supplying power in sufficientquantity to the ultraviolet light fixtures and/or the ionizers. Somesystems use batteries which must be changed often and may corrodecausing a hazardous condition. Alternatively, some systems obtain powerfrom the main AC supply of the pool or spa. In such cases, wire andconduits must be run which involves a substantial modification to thepool or spa including work by an electrician following local building,electrical, and fire codes and the procurement of permits. Additionally,some systems use photo-electric cells affixed to the ground or attachedto the top of a floating head. In either case, the photo-electric cellsare very expensive on a per watt basis and require a significant amountof space to generate a reasonable amount of power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A non-chemical sanitation system for a body of fluid comprises afloating base, an internal hydro-electric power generator, and one ormore sanitizing mechanisms electrically powered by the hydro-electricpower generator. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemicalsanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. Insome embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanismscomprise one or more ionizers. In some embodiments, the system isconnected to a filter pipe and filter of a pool and the hydro-electricpower generator is placed within the path of fluid flowing to the poolfilter in order to generate power and power the one or more sanitizingmechanisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a high level view of a sanitation system for a bodyof water in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sanitizing head for a sanitation system, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a sanitizing head for asanitation system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pool sweep and a sanitizing head, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates an intake pipe for a sanitizing head, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5B illustrates a x-ray view of an intake pipe for a sanitizinghead, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A non-chemical sanitation system for a body of water comprises afloating base, an internal power system and one or more non-chemicalsanitizers for killing germs and other bacteria within the body ofwater. The system is able to use an internal power source for poweringthe one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms. For example, in someembodiments, the sanitation system is powered by a hydro-electric powersystem. The hydro-electric power system is able to generate power usingwater that flows through an intake pipe of the sanitation system. Insome embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanismscomprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. In some embodiments, theone or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or moreionizers.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a high level view of a sanitation system for abody of water is depicted therein. The sanitation system 100 comprises asanitizing head 120 coupled to a sweep pipe 110 and sweep head 110 atone end and coupled to a filter pipe 130 at the other end. In someembodiments, the sanitizing head 120 comprises one or more sanitizationmechanisms 123 coupled to a base plate 121. The one or more sanitizingmechanisms 123 are able to disinfect and sanitize the pool 170 byeliminating germs and bacteria from the water. In some embodiments, theone or more sanitizing mechanisms 123 comprise one or more ultravioletLED lights. In some embodiments, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms123 comprise one or more ionizers.

The filter pipe 130 is coupled to the pool filter 150 and the pool pumpmotor 140. When the pool pump 140 is running, water is sucked from thepool 170, through the sweep head 110 and sweep pipe 110 and into thefilter pipe 130 to the filter 150 where the water is filtered before itreturns to the pool through the return pipe 160. In some embodiments,the sanitizing head 120 comprises a hydro-electric generator which isplaced in the path of the water flowing to the pool filter. Thehydro-electric generator is able to capture electrical power from thewater flow through the pools filter 150 and the electrical power is ableto be used to power the one or more sanitization mechanisms 123.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitizing head 120 floats on top of the waterwith the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 123 pointing in a downwarddirection. In this manner the sanitizing head 120 is able to disinfectand sanitize the pool water as it flows under the sanitizing head 120.In some embodiments, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 123 areplaced near the hydro-electric generator in order to disinfect andsanitize the pool water as it passes through the sanitizing head 120.Additionally, although the system 100 is shown implemented in a pool, aswill be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the system 100is able to be implemented in any appropriately desired body of watersuch as a pool or a spa. Further, although the sanitizing head 120 isshown floating on the surface of the water, it is able to be paced in astatic location such as on a side of the pool or next to the pool'sfilter pipe 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the sanitization head 120 asdiscussed in relation to FIG. 1. The sanitization head 220 comprises afloating platform 227, a base plate 221 comprising one or moresanitization mechanisms 223 and an intake pipe 225. In some embodiments,the intake pipe 225 is coupled to a sweep pipe and a filter pipe, suchas described above. Consequently, water traveling to the pool filterpasses through the intake pipe 225 and contacts a hydro-electric powergenerator 280. As stated above, the hydro-electric generator 280 is ableto capture electrical power from the water flow through the pools filterand the electrical power is able to be used to power the one or moresanitization mechanisms 223. As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments,the hydro-electric power generator 280 comprises an impeller 282 and agenerator 284. As water flows through the intake pipe 225, the impeller282 is spun generating power which is transferred from the generator 284to the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 223 through a wired connection286.

As described above, in some embodiments, the one or more sanitizingmechanisms 223 comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. In someembodiments, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 223 comprise one ormore ionizers. Additionally, although the one or more sanitizingmechanisms 223 are shown coupled to a base plate 221 of the sanitizinghead 220, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 223 are able to beplaced at any appropriate location on the sanitizing head 220. Forexample, in some embodiments, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms arelocated on an interior of the intake pipe 225. In some embodiments, thesanitization head 220 comprises a solar panel 228 for providingadditional power to the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 223.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a sanitization head 320 inaccordance with some embodiments. The sanitization head 320 comprises afloating platform 327, a base plate 321 comprising one or moresanitization mechanisms 323 and an intake pipe 325. In some embodiments,the intake pipe 325 is coupled to a sweep pipe and a filter pipe 330,such as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the hydro-electricgenerator comprises an impeller 382 and a generator 384. As water flowsthrough the intake pipe 325, the impeller 382 is spun generating powerwhich is transferred from the generator 384 to the one or moresanitizing mechanisms 323 through a wired connection 386.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 323are shown coupled to a base plate 321. However, as described above, theone or more sanitizing mechanisms 323 are able to be placed at anyappropriate location on the sanitizing head 320. For example, in someembodiments, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms are located on aninterior of the intake pipe 325. In some embodiments, the sanitizationhead 320 comprises a solar panel 328 for providing additional power tothe one or more sanitizing mechanisms 323.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sanitization head attached to a pool sweep. Thesanitization head 420 is similar to the sanitization heads 120, 220, and320, as described above. As shown by the arrows of FIG. 4, water issucked through the sweep head 410 and the sweep pipe 411 and through thesanitization mechanism 420 where it contacts a hydro-electric generatorbefore passing to the filter pipe 430 and the pool filter (not shown).

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate one or more sanitizing mechanisms 523 coupledto an interior of an intake pipe 525, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Asshown within FIGS. 5A and 5B, the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 523are coupled around an entirety of an interior of the intake pipe 525. Aswill be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, any number ofsanitizing mechanisms 523 are able to be coupled to the intake pipe 525and in any appropriately desired configuration. When the one or moresanitizing mechanisms are located within the intake pipe 525, theintensity of the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 523 are able to beincreased without exposing the surrounding environment and pool area tothe sanitizing process of the one or more sanitizing mechanisms 523.

In use, the sanitizing head and system is able to capture electricalpower from water flow to a pool's filter using a small hydro-electricgenerator mounted within a floating head comprising one or moresanitizing mechanisms. Pool filter motors are typically very powerfuland may range from one-half horse power to many horsepower dependingupon the size of the system. Consequently, installing a hydro-electricgenerator within the path of the flowing water enables the system torecapture a high percentage of the power of the filter pump motor to beutilized for disinfecting and sanitizing the pool's water. Extractinghigh, electrical power, from water pressure, at the point of the pool,eliminates the need for more expensive distribution means and willresult in more pools being disinfected using ultraviolet and electricsanitizing means.

Particularly, providing an internal power source to the sanitizing headand system eliminates the need for wires, conduits, electricians, andpermits and enables the system to be implemented similarly withinexisting and new pool systems. Specifically, the sanitizing head iseasily coupled to a pool's filter pipe and pump in order to power one ormore sanitizing mechanisms to clean and disinfect the pool water using aprocess, which the pool system was already implementing. Consequently,the pool is able to be cleaned at a greater rate and at less cost thanexisting systems. Accordingly, the sanitizing head and system asdescribed herein has many advantages.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. As such,references, herein, to specific embodiments and details thereof are notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made inthe embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A sanitizing head for sanitizing a body of fluidcomprising: a. a floating base; b. a hydro-electric power generator forelectrically powering the sanitizing head; and c. one or moresanitization mechanisms for sanitizing the body of water.
 2. Thesanitizing head of claim 1 wherein the one or more sanitizationmechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights.
 3. Thesanitizing head of claim 1 wherein the one or more sanitizationmechanisms comprise one or more ionizers.
 4. The sanitizing head ofclaim 1 wherein the floating base comprises a pool or spa sweep.
 5. Thesanitizing head of claim 4 wherein the sanitizing head comprises anintake pipe that is configured to couple to an filter pipe of a filterpump of the pool or spa.
 6. The sanitizing head of claim 5 wherein thesanitizing head comprises a hydro impeller coupled to a power generator,wherein the hydro impeller is spun by water traveling the through theintake pipe in order to generate power.
 7. The sanitizing head of claim1 wherein the floating base comprises a solar panel.
 8. The sanitizinghead of claim 1 wherein the body of fluid comprises a pool or a spa. 9.A pool cleaner comprising: a. a sweep head coupled to an intake pipe andan internally powered sanitization head comprising one or moresanitizing mechanisms.
 10. The pool cleaner of claim 9 wherein the oneor more sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LEDlights.
 11. The pool cleaner of claim 9 wherein the one or moresanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ionizers.
 12. The poolcleaner of claim 9 wherein the sanitization head is powered by ahydro-electric power generator.
 13. The pool cleaner of claim 9 whereinthe pool cleaner is configured to couple to an filter pipe of a filterpump of the pool.
 14. The pool cleaner of claim 9 wherein thesanitization head comprises a floating base.
 15. The pool cleaner ofclaim 9 wherein the sanitization head comprises a solar panel.
 16. Apool sanitization system comprising: a. a sweep head; b. a sweep pipe;c. a pool filter, and d. a sanitization head coupled to a filter pipe ofthe pool filter; wherein the sanitization head comprises ahydro-electric motor that is in the path of water traveling to the poolfilter and wherein the hydro-electric motor powers the sanitizationhead.
 17. A sanitizing head for sanitizing a body of water comprising:a. a floating base; b. a hydro-electric power generator for electricallypowering the sanitizing head; c. a water pipe coupled to the floatingbase; and d. one or more sanitization mechanisms coupled to an interiorof the pipe for sanitizing the body of water.
 18. The sanitizing head ofclaim 17 wherein the hydro-electric power generator is located withinthe pipe.
 19. The sanitizing head of claim 18 wherein the one or moresanitization mechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. 20.The sanitizing head of claim 18 wherein the one or more sanitizationmechanisms comprise one or more ionizers.
 21. A non-chemical sanitationsystem for a body of water comprises a floating base, an internalhydro-electric power generator, and one or more sanitizing mechanismselectrically powered by the hydro-electric power generator.